Date:20/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/20/stories/2008102054740600.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Peace rally by Christian bodies

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: A conglomeration of Christian religious organisations on Sunday demanded a Central Act on ‘Prevention of Atrocities on Minorities’ on the same lines of the prevailing ‘Prevention of Atrocities on S.C. and S.T. Act’, “as proposed in the Common Minimum Programme of the present government”.

It was one among the nine resolutions passed by the All India Christian Council along with Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches and other Christian religious organisations.

The meeting, the culmination of a Peace Rally organised in solidarity with victims Orissa violence, also demanded “rectification” of the G.O.s 746 and 747 that restricted religious propaganda in Hindu temples. Other demands included ban on “terrorist communal organisations”, establishing 24-hour helpline for minorities, S.C. status to Dalit Christians, funds to rebuild damaged churches, institutions and houses of Orissa victims, arrest and prosecution of Kandhamal culprits through Special Courts, institution of a High Level Judicial Commission to enquire into violence on Christians in Orissa, Karnataka, and other States.